Collen Players' magical evening of mirth and melody

* The Players on stage for the grand finale.

The Collen Players promised their audience a cavalcade of mirth, melody and merriment with their latest variety show, Hammerbeams and Harmonies, and that’s exactly what they served up at the Community Hall last night (Friday).

And the side benefit was that a sizeable sum was raised for the current fundraising campaign to renovate St Collen’s ancient hammerbeam roof.

After the traditional opening remarks and warm up sing-song from the chairman, Mr Leo Naylor, the first act to take the stage was Deborah with an extremely melodic presentation of I Want to Sing Opera.

Phil Robinson was up next with his lively rendition of the old time classic My Old Man’s a Dustman.

Songstress and Collen Players regular Susan Stokes had a sweetly-voiced After the Ball Was Over for the audience. Then it was time for comedy as the duo of Chris and Neil offered a tale of domestic disaster and lyrical lamentation.

Lizzie Clifford presented two songs of sentiment, including They Say It's Wonderful from Annie Get Your Gun, before Collen Players favourite Colin Bourdiec closed the first act with a flourish of George Formby finesse.

Phil Robinson returned after the interval with a melody of menace entitled Mack the Knife specially for Halloween while Susan Stokes was back on stage with a novel parody of her previous number before Chris and Neil presented their hilarious Cissie and Ada routine, this time featuring Chris singing I Hold Your Hand in My Hand and There's a Hole In My Bucket.

Lizzie Clifford re-appeared, accompanied by Alison Jarvis and John Clifford, for a marvellous Three Little Maids. John had previously been on stage with an enthralling poem.  

On hand for some accomplished accompaniments were musicians Jayne (keyboard) and Clayton (drums).

The grand finale of the show came in his own inimitably entertaining way from Colin Bourdiec before the audience was encouraged to join in with a rollicking Down at the Old Bull and Bush to round of a highly entertaining evening.  

* Collen Players' Christmas show, Deck the Halls, a variety and music hall show in Victorian style, will be at  St Collen's Community Hall on Friday December 12, starting at 6.30pm. Tickets, including supper, can be booked by calling 01978 861768.

* Mr Chairman opens the show. All pictures by Jeanette Robinson.

* A divinely dramatic Deborah.

* A dark and debonair Phil Robinson as Mack the Knife.

* After the Ball with Sue Stokes.

* Neil and Chris become Cissie and Ada.

* Something Wonderful from Lizzie Clifford.

* Formby fun from Colin Bourdiec.

* Three Little Maids from school.

* The house band of Clayton and Jayne.